Behavioral Sciences

Background: Insufficient physical exercise is a growing public health concern in China, where only 30.3% of adults exercise regularly. Exploring the key factors associated with physical exercise participation is essential for promoting healthier lifestyles. Method: This study utilized data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to apply a progressive framework of dimensionality reduction, machine learning prediction, and SHAP-based interpretability analysis. A total of 19 potential factors were considered, with LassoCV used for feature selection and multiple models constructed for comparison. Results: The SVM model showed the best predictive performance. SHAP analysis revealed that watching sports events, household registration, educational attainment, subjective well-being, smoking, age, sleep quality, social activities, and residence suitability for physical exercise are the most important factors influencing participation. Higher education, greater subjective well-being, urban residency, frequent sports viewing, and residence suitability for physical exercise were positively associated with participation, while smoking and poor sleep quality were negatively associated with it. Conclusion: This study highlights the value of combining machine learning with interpretability methods to uncover the key predictors of physical exercise. The findings provide new evidence on the social, psychological, and environmental factors associated with Chinese adults’ exercise behavior, offering insights for targeted health promotion strategies.

Sexual harassment (SH) remains widespread in workplaces and academic settings. Traditional compliance-based training has shown limited success in preventing SH or motivating bystander intervention. This study developed and tested a brief online empathy training module that can be completed in under 30 min that aims to help participants better understand and support people who experience SH and increase their willingness to intervene. Two experiments were conducted with U.S. adults recruited from the CloudResearch Connect platform (Study 1: 122 men and 140 women; Study 2: 132 men, 112 women, 4, other gender) who were randomly assigned to complete the SH empathy module, another empathy training module (burglary empathy training), time management training, a standard SH training module, or a waitlist control condition. Measures assessed empathy, perspective taking, and bystander intervention intentions. In Study 1, empathy correlated with bystander intentions, but there were no significant group differences; women reported higher empathy and bystander intentions than men. In Study 2, participants who received SH empathy training demonstrated higher empathy and perspective taking than those in other groups, and empathy improvements were associated with greater willingness to intervene. Gender did not moderate these effects. Overall, findings suggest that integrating a short empathy module into SH prevention programs can enhance readiness to act as supportive bystanders. Future research should assess the longevity of these effects and whether they translate into real-world behavioral change.

Universities are increasingly seeking ways to build students’ sense of belonging. This paper reports a mixed-methods evaluation of BE At King’s, a seed-funded programme supporting grassroots, co-created initiatives to strengthen connection and inclusion across a large, multi-campus institution. Five projects—ranging from art clubs and community breakfasts to hackathons and writing retreats—were designed and delivered by students and staff, with evaluation embedded from the outset. Quantitative survey data (n = 202) showed high levels of belonging overall, with structured, interactive initiatives most strongly associated with meeting new people and feeling connected. Qualitative thematic analysis highlighted four themes—Refreshing Routines, Inclusive Conditions, Community Leadership, and Layered Engagement—revealing how belonging was fostered through predictable routines, psychologically safe spaces, and opportunities for shared ownership. Bringing findings together shows that grassroots initiatives can engage even less-connected students, but that careful design, inclusive outreach, and sustained facilitation are critical to their success. We argue that universities should embed belonging within the everyday fabric of institutional life through co-produced, flexible, and locally responsive approaches that combine institutional commitment with community leadership.